Natural solutions symptoms and conditions

Yes, I have been taking Vytorin 10/40 for about 10 months, and it did reduce my cholesterol and triglycerides to 'normal', however, I slowly developed (initially) some 3 months back, problems in my left solder, diagnosed eventually as 'rotator cuff' ligament damage, however, it came on slowly and progressively worsened. I had not done anything strenuous to develop such a condition. It became so bad that I was basically redd to using my right arm. On top of this, the muscles in my lower arms became sore and felt strained even lifting a glass of water was painful. My Doctor was informed of increasing on-going muscle problems, did an emzine muscle test, which turned out to be 'clear'. And I also lost my sexual drive gradually.
I went off taking Vytorin a week ago on my own gut feeling, and my arm muscles and left shoulder have improved. I am also hoping no permanent damage. I am moving to a much higher exercise regime to 'burn' cholesterol and reduce triglycerides, and in the mean time look for 'natural' solutions as well.
I am not impressed with the medical responses I got, along with miss-diagnosed muscle / tendon supposed 'rotator cuff' serious problem that developed in my left shoulder, which I suspect may never be the same functionally. I recommend looking at other alternatives and natural remedies, this is my course of action. MM

I am 54, I was diagnosed with diabetes type l in 2003. I started showing high cholesterol levels about 2 years ago. When it reached 280 I was prescribed Lipitor 10 mg at first after no improvement it was increased to 20mg. I was very much against this. I have problems with muscle pain, and dizziness.
I checked into an alternative from a doctor who is an MD but prefers natural solutions if possible. I stopped the Lipitor without the knowledge of my primary physician and started taking fish oil 3600mg daily in the evening.
9 weeks later both my cholesterol and triglycerides were normal. I told him about the fish oil, but he wanted me to continue the Lipitor, because diabetics should be on some type of statin medication to help protect the heart. I have visited a couple of sites and haven't anyone talking about liver function problems. I have had an ultra sound for my liver which showed some problems, I am still waiting on some of the tests to return. I also have an appointment to schedule a liver biopsy. When reading my first lab results his first words were." Your results are uncommonly abnormal, stop taking the Lipitor, I am going down and get an ultra sound set up for you." "You might be thinking it could be the diabetes causing this. My diabetes is completely under control, and haven't tested high sugar levels since first diagnosed. I don't drink or smoke. I would like to know if others have had problems with liver function tests being abnormal. Please everyone remember my doctors first response to the abnormal tests stop the Lipitor immediately, it wasn't let's run some other tests to see the cause, because you need the Lipitor as protection for your heart. This medication works in the liver which we only have one of, and it is an extremely vital organ for maintaining health on several levels.

March 9, 2008
I posted my reactions re: Advair HFA which I had tried as well as Advair Discus over the past 3 years in Feb. of this year. At that time I said I was going off Advair HFA and relying on Spring Forest Qigong for stabilizing my breathing. I also was pretty disgusted with my Allergist because I felt I was always getting the 'standard answer' from her.
About a week later I realized this plan wasn't working. So, I reread the Advair directions carefully on using the inhaler and started using it again.
Almost immediately my breathing stabilized w/use of Advair, and I use the SFQigong in tandem with it. The SFQ also helps w/calming me down since meditation is part of it; therefore, it calms down heart palpitations as well. I'm guessing any form of prayer, meditation, deep breathing techniques, 'time to slow down' during the day would do the same thing especially if done on a consistent, daily basis. This would help depression, anxiety, maintaining a state of well-being and probably other things I haven't thought about.
While I do not like meds of any sort, I will stay on Advair HFA until something tells me I should try getting off it again. In the meantime I will do more detective work on other symptoms I have that may/may not be caused by Advair.
Chronic problems such as asthma are so tough to work with; they change with the seasons, our personal make up, and also change as we get older.
I would like to hear from others who are finding natural solutions to these problems that many of us seem to be experiencing.
Good luck and better health to all of you who read this!
Pat, the wife, mother, grandma, teacher, and other hats I wear.

Thanks Twogirlsmom, did your BP go down after being off the pill?!? That's what worries me the most. I saw my family doctor that same afternoon, and he put me on two week checkups until things are back to normal. Then I have been doing a lot of research over the weekend, about BCP and artificial hormones, I just dont think it's a good thing at all. I'm not even going to try anymore either. I know of some all-natural products that (while they are not at all BC) are some balancing creams and vitamins that will get me back in balance in no time I think. Have you looked into all natural solutions?

My 3 yr old son was diagnosed with croup. Several days later it appeared to be going towards the lungs. His cough was more asthma-like so started neb with albuterol. A couple days later, he was still on neb but coughing almost nonstop. He was exhausted that night but hadn't been able to sleep b/c of the coughing. First, tried cough syrup. At two hours, no relief. Thinking back to last Spring and the cough relief he had with Singulair, I pulled out his still valid Rx and gave him one. Great relief! Around the same time the next night, coughing attack returned so hubby and I thought we'd try to give him relief one more night. Next day, we awake to a terror child. Crying and fits all day. That night, we notice he's talking in his sleep and grinding his teeth so loud we can hear it in our room. His last dose of Singulair was Thursday night. It's Monday AM and I still don't have "my son" back. If anyone has reassurance on how long it takes to recover from this, please email me at ******. I am praying that my sweet, laid-back son returns (sure, he'd throw the 3 yr old attitude out occasionally). This angry, irrational child I'm living with right now just breaks my heart. He doesn't deserve this... I want my happy, cuddly sweetheart back! There are so many cases like ours that I've read that it just makes me sick that I wasn't warned. He will never take Singulair again and I'm going to research more natural solutions for allergies, etc. What a tragedy that I hope doesn't take a long term toll on my son!

May 2005 I've been on Lipitor since 2001, but quit taking it Nov. 2004 due to muscle aches - I was aware of my legs, particularly my calves - and my wrist joints hurt. I'm a healthy weight, work out at the gym, am active etc. but am worried when my cholesterols levels went back up to 376 total. I started back on the Lipitor out of fear, at 20 mg instead of my prescribed dose of 40 mg. Guess what? Within two weeks my back is aching again, my wrists, and now my neck. I stopped the Lipitor again but am not sure what to do. I'm thinking of having an ultrasound done on my arteries, and looking into natural solutions. HELP!